Macron pledges French support in Benin for security, culture and education
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Issued on: 27/07/2022 – 13:24Modified: 27/07/2022 – 13:25
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to support Benin by investing in security, education and a new French cultural centre in a joint press conference with Benin’s President Patrice Talon in Cotonou on Wednesday.
Macron’s visit to the West African nation comes as several French opposition lawmakers warned of an “alarming” increase in human rights abuses in Benin.
Macron and Talon announced plans for further collaboration on military intelligence, training and special operations.
Macron’s visit comes as 75 French opposition lawmakers on Tuesday wrote a letter to the president drawing attention to the “alarming” situation of political prisoners in Benin amid a crackdown by the Talon administration on opposition figures.
Talon denied that the country was holding political prisoners. “In Benin no one is in prison for political reasons, they are in prison because they have committed crimes for political reasons,” he said.
He maintained that these crimes “should be punished” and chastised the media for focusing on when prisoners would be freed.
Macron’s visit to Benin is the second stop of a three-nation tour of west African states.
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(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)